For the price, they are great knives. I have two knive sets which are used every day in my home - a set of Wusthofs (priced at about $350) which are my personal knives that nobody else is allowed to use, and a set of these Cuisinart knives which are used by our cook, my family and guests.

We've had the Cuisinarts for over three years and they receive very heavy use (and abuse). They aren't of the same quality as the Wusthofs, but they've held up fine, keep a decent edge, and are attractive and well-balanced. I can recommend them without reservation.

The simple things first.
1) Set a budget.
2) Remember that you get significant savings buying knives as a set rather than individually.
3) Get the set with the fewest knives in your price range. A few good knives will be much better than a large set of poor knives.
4) As a chef I use 4 knives almost exclusively, being a chef's knife, a bread knife, a paring knife and a boning knife. I have another half dozen knives but they don't see light of day very often, and I've worked in jobs where I haven't used the bread knife.
5) Only do it on the condition that your daughter learns how to hone (use a steel) and sharpen (use a stone or something similar) the knives. If she doesn't take care of the knives they'll be blunt and useless in no time flat.

The simple things first.
5) Only do it on the condition that your daughter learns how to hone (use a steel) and sharpen (use a stone or something similar) the knives. If she doesn't take care of the knives they'll be blunt and useless in no time flat.

I disagree with this statement. As the OP stated, his daughter is not a foodie so someone who cooks for enjoyment. She is just like the majority of people in this country who cook because they have to. For these people, their knives will not be taken care of the way someone who cares would take care of them. While it would be great for them and their knives if they learned things like honing, it should not be a condition of giving a gift of knives. Yes the knives will not cut well after a little while if they do not hone them, but lets be honest here. I think it would be safe to say that 90% of people in the US do not know how to hone their knifes let alone do it. That does not mean they should not own knives.

The Forschner knives-- either the Fribrox (textured plastic handle) or the slightly more expensive rose wood handled versions. The Fbribox handle knives frequently are the recommended knives from Cooks Illustrated with good reason. They are light, comfortable for most people, will take a good edge, and aren't terribly expensive. You could assemble the most used knives and a separate storage system, a block, knife roll , or magnetic bar to complete the set. If budget allows(and if not, there's always next Christmas) I'd add a Chef's Choice electric sharpener.....then they'll always be sharp.